The science and medical departments at this prestigious research university are well-known, but administrators at the university are very clear that they’re searching for more than just academic standouts. They fill their classrooms with active learners as well as deep thinkers every year.
How do you demonstrate that you are exactly what they are seeking? JHU representatives take the time to point out that your writings are particularly crucial for demonstrating to them who you are and “how you genuinely think.” The Common App personal statement (which, ideally, you’ve already written) and one additional essay, which is covered in more detail below, are the two options they give you to apply.
Get a comprehensive overview of Johns Hopkins’ programs before writing your supplemental essay by consulting their Common Data Set, which includes data on anything from enrolment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid. Check out the strategic plan of the oldest research institution in the United States for in-depth explanations of how it views its position and plans for growth.
What is the John Hopkins Supplemental Essay Prompt?
John Hopkins Supplemental Essay Prompt:
Founded on a spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests, and pursue new experiences. Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity, or your community) and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins. (300-400 words)
The majority of schools ask prospective students to elaborate on their reasons for choosing one institution in particular. We refer to that as a “Why Us?” essay.
However, this question has a twist on the “Why Us?” essay. This is because fact that the “Why Us?” question structure is reversed in this prompt. It appears to be asking “why you” at first glance. That is to say, it is asking you to describe why you might be a good fit at Johns Hopkins (not what makes Johns Hopkins a good fit for you). It asks you to consider a community (or several communities, or other facets of your upbringing or experiences), and then make a connection between it and the university.
JHU intentionally left this question extremely open-ended so that you can write about any element of your upbringing or community that played a major role in forming your identity. Additionally, admissions officers want to know how your experience has affected your goals for your future at Hopkins. Consider your identity as a starting point. You can either work backwards by thinking about what you intend to achieve by attending Hopkins and then considering how that ties to your hobbies, identity, background, or community, or you can write down some ideas that you would use to represent yourself.
Try to stay away from these common errors when you write:
- Writing about the school’s size, location, standing, reputation, or weather
- Only utilising emotive language to show that you are fit for the institution
- Using the wrong mascot, stadium name, team colours, or names of any significant campus figures
- Quoting the text from brochures or websites
- Listing the school’s illustrious traditions
- Considering this merely as a “Why Us” essay
Here are some things to think about while drafting your essay:
- How will you use the vast resources available to you at Johns Hopkins, both inside and beyond the classroom?
- Mention particular courses, instructors, research possibilities, internship and/or employment programs, study abroad chances, student-run organisations, etc.
- Don’t forget to mention why Johns Hopkins is the ideal school for you. Also, state why you are the perfect fit for Johns Hopkins.
- Give examples of how your past and present work will benefit the Johns Hopkins campus community.
- Which unique skills and interests will you bring to Johns Hopkins?
Examples of things to include in your essay
Examples of topics covered in good JHU supplemental essays include:
- You have a genuinely global experience thanks to the more than 3,000 foreign students from 121 different countries that are on campus.
- On campus, there are 450 student organisations, and 80% of freshmen are active members.
- JHU offers a variety of fascinating study abroad alternatives.
- 60% of students major in two fields or take two minors.
- One of the best universities for undergraduate research is Hopkins.
- The school’s undergraduate research journal HURJ might be something you’d want to contribute to.
- Small class sizes (almost three-quarters of sections have fewer than 20 students) and a 6:1
- student-to-faculty ratio enable meaningful engagement with lecturers.
- Hopkins spends more on research and development activities than any other American university. They have made a variety of amazing discoveries, including the first spacecraft landing on an asteroid and classifying 80% of the human body’s proteins.
- More than 260 courses are available.
- These are only a few of the thousands of components that might make an essay successful, of course. We genuinely hope that this, nevertheless, makes your brainstorming session take off!
How significant are Johns Hopkins’ essays?
Six factors are deemed “extremely important” by Johns Hopkins University when assessing an applicant, which includes the essays. Johns Hopkins considers the rigor of an applicant’s secondary school record, GPA, standardised test scores, recommendations, and character/personal qualities.
Give your essay the Rostrum Edge!
Supplementary essays are a critical part of your application, and they can be very challenging to write without any assistance. You can trust Rostrum Education’s team of highly experienced college counsellors for assistance at every stage of the essay writing process. Every one of our students receives personalised essay help, which ranges from generating essay topic ideas to editing the essay.We will help you make a compelling case for yourself and your experiences before the admissions committee. Get in touch with us for a free consultation to find out more.